A WOMAN whose mother died after contracting a bug linked to pigeon droppings in hospital has demanded assurances, as a team reviewing infection control concerns launched a call for evidence.
The independent review is investigating whether the design, build, commissioning and maintenance of the £842 million Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) and Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow has had an adverse impact on infection risk.
It was ordered by Health Secretary Jeane Freeman in January following the deaths of two patients – an adult and a child – after they contracted cryptococcus, an infection linked to pigeon droppings. In March, a woman died after contracting a fungal infection at the hospital.
READ MORE: Cleanliness concerns at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
The review, led by Dr Brian Montgomery and Dr Andrew Fraser, will assess if the built environment of QEUH and RHC is making it difficult for staff to deliver “optimal practice”.
Dr Fraser said: “A number of events have come to public attention around control of infection issues and our independent review has been set up to focus on these matters to ensure that conditions are right for control of infection, not only for this hospital but for all our hospitals, in the future.”
Beth Armstrong, whose mother died in January after contracting cryptococcus, was among members of the public who attended the launch of the call for evidence.
She asked whether the review will consider the external environment such as the proximity of a sewage works as well as internal factors.
She added: “Will there be an obligation to act on your findings? Will the NHS board be forced to take action on your findings or will they just be recommendations?”
Montgomery said they would be disappointed if findings were not taken seriously.
The review will look at areas including the overall design of QEUH/RHC, with particular reference to the safety of water, drainage and ventilation systems.
Those leading the review said they do not yet have evidence that issues and concerns already raised have been adequately addressed, while Fraser said they do not yet have a figure for how many people have died as a result of infections.
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesman said: “We welcome the independent review and will respond fully to any questions or issues raised by the review team.”
Anyone with relevant information is to contact the review team via queenelizabethhospitalreview.scot.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here